Sony has officially announced that Insomniac's PlayStation 3 exclusive Resistance 2 will be dropping on shelves November 4 (two days before my birthday ... hint, hint!). In addition to the standard flavor, the pre-requisite collector's edition will also be available for $79.99 and will include:

• Created by DC Unlimited, an exclusive Chimeran Hybrid action figure with Bullseye weapon.
• A double-sided hard-cover Resistance 2 art book covering war-torn America from two unique perspectives.
• Exclusive in-game HVAP Wraith multiplayer weapon skin
• Copy of Resistance 2 with special edition cover artwork selected by the fans
• A DVD featuring: a preview of the upcoming novel Resistance: The Gathering Storm by William Dietz; a behind-the-scenes video; a Resistance chronology video; a digital copy of Issue #0 of the Resistance Wildstorm-published comic book series.

Sony has also (once again) revealed the ways you can gain "premiere access" to the public beta: pre-order the game from GameStop (retail or online) or purchase an annual subscription to the PS3 digital magazine, Qore. If patience is your personal virtue, you'll also have a chance to apply for the public beta after the "premiere access" period by applying online. Additionally, you can just pick up Qore Episode 03 for guaranteed access.

Penny Arcade Expo attendees had their chance to go hands on with Resistance 2's multiplayer this past weekend, and as most of them would tell you, it's shaping up to "totally rock." While I'm not a huge fan of collector's editions -- regardless of how packed with awesome they are -- it's nice to see Sony/Insomniac giving gamers a million ways to play the beta before they pay.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Collector's Edition for Highly-Anticipated PLAYSTATION(R)3 Exclusive Resistance 2(TM)

Global Multiplayer and Co-operative Beta Also Set to Debut in Early October

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today that Resistance 2(TM), from independent developer Insomniac Games, will release in North America on November 4 and will be offered in a special collector's edition while supplies last.  The collector's edition for Resistance 2, the highly-anticipated follow-up to the best-selling PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system (PS3(TM) system) launch title, Resistance: Fall of Man(R), will be available for a suggested retail price of $79.99 at participating retailers with the following premium items included:

• Created by DC Unlimited, an exclusive Chimeran Hybrid action figure with Bullseye weapon.
• A double-sided hard-cover Resistance 2 art book covering war-torn America from two unique perspectives.
• Exclusive in-game HVAP Wraith multiplayer weapon skin
• Copy of Resistance 2 with special edition cover artwork selected by the fans

The special collector's edition also includes a bonus DVD of exclusive Resistance 2 additional contents including:

• A preview into the upcoming Resistance novel, "Resistance: The Gathering Storm" by well-known science fiction author William Dietz.
• "America Forever Lost", Behind The Scenes video of Resistance 2 with Insomniac Games
• "Shattered History" Resistance chronology video -- provides a visual guideline from the earliest days of the Chimera invasion to the current storyline
• Digital copy of Issue #0 of the Resistance comic book series published by Wildstorm.

Gamers eagerly awaiting the game's launch this November will have an opportunity to get an early look at Resistance 2 as SCEA also announced today a worldwide competitive online multiplayer and co-operative beta beginning in early October.  Powered by the PLAYSTATION(R)Network, the Resistance 2 multiplayer and co-operative beta will provide PS3 owners with an opportunity to experience new levels, modes and weapons.

"Resistance 2 is Insomniac's most ambitious game yet.  The team's goals from the onset have been to heighten the online experience and encourage experienced and novice players to jump online," said Ted Price, President & CEO, Insomniac Games.  "With an eight-player, co-op campaign and 60-player squad-based competitive multiplayer, Resistance 2 offers players a complete online experience on a scale like no other.  We really value the feedback of the Resistance community and are excited to open the beta and provide our dedicated fan base an early look at Resistance 2's multiplayer features."

The Resistance 2 Public Beta program will be available through both premier and open access.  Premier access provides players with guaranteed access to the entirety of the Public Beta period through programs including:

• GameStop Pre-Order Program: Beginning in September, players in the U.S. and Canada can gain premier access to the Public Beta by pre-ordering Resistance 2 at a GameStop retail store or online at http://www.gamestop.com.
• Qore(TM) Annual Subscription: A highly interactive, monthly original video program that covers the world inside PlayStation(R), available only on PLAYSTATION(R)Store for the PS3 system.

For open access, players will have the chance to apply, and if selected, play the Public Beta after the premier access period.  Those that are interested in joining the Public Beta can submit their information at http://beta.myresistance.net/apply.  In addition, players who purchased Qore Episode 03 (single Episode) will be guaranteed access to the Public Beta.